|}}The '''Glittering Caves''', also called [[Aglarond]], were the spectacular jewelled caverns that lay in the [[White Mountains]] behind [[Helm's Deep]] in [[Rohan]].

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The '''Glittering Caves''', also called '''Aglarond''', were the spectacular jewelled caverns that lay in the [[White Mountains]] behind [[Helm's Deep]] in [[Rohan]].

==Overview==

==Overview==

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The Glittering Caves were located behind [[Helm's Deep]] under the three peaks of the [[Thrihyrne]] in the northwestern arm of the [[White Mountains]]. [[Gimli]] called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World.

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The Glittering Caves were located behind [[Helm's Deep]] under the three peaks of the [[Thrihyrne]] in the northwestern arm of the [[White Mountains]]. [[Gimli]] called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World. The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.<ref>{{TT|III8}}</ref>

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The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.

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==History==

==History==

===War of the Ring===

===War of the Ring===

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During the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] on [[March 3]]-[[March 4|4]], [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], many of the women, children, and elderly people of the Westfold took refuge in the Glittering Caves. Livestock and food were stored there as well. The entrance to the caves was behind the Deeping-wall in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught.

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During the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] on [[3 March|3]]-[[4 March]], {{TA|3019}}, many of the women, children, and elderly people of the [[Westfold]] took refuge in the Glittering Caves. Livestock and food were stored there as well. The entrance to the caves was behind the [[Deeping-wall]] in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught.

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Some [[Orcs]] crept through a culvert in the Deeping-wall and entered the gorge but were killed or driven back by the defenders. Then the Deeping-wall was breached by an explosive device and the Enemy forces entered the Deep. Many of the [[Rohirrim]] including [[Éomer]] were driven back to the Glittering Caves, and with them was Gimli.

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Some [[Orcs]] crept through a culvert in the Deeping-wall and entered the gorge but were killed or driven back by the defenders. Then the Deeping-wall was breached by an explosive device and the Enemy forces entered the Deep. Many of the [[Rohirrim]] including [[Éomer]] were driven back to the Glittering Caves, and with them was Gimli.<ref>{{TT|III7}}</ref>

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===As a Dwarven Colony===

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After the war Gimli brought [[Legolas]] to see the caves; the Elf was so impressed that he was silent and said that only Gimli could fittingly describe them.<ref>{{RK|VI6}}</ref>

When [[Gimli|Gimli Elf-friend]] was held up in the caves, he was amazed by their beauty. After the [[War of the Ring]] he brought from [[Erebor]] part of [[Durin's folk]] and founded a [[Dwarf realms|colony]] in the caves, becoming the first [[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]. The Dwarves of the Glittering Caves carefully tended the stone walls and opened new ways and chambers and hung lamps that filled the caverns with light. The Glittering Caves became one of the most important realms of the [[Dwarves]] at the beginning of the [[Fourth Age]].

When [[Gimli|Gimli Elf-friend]] was held up in the caves, he was amazed by their beauty. After the [[War of the Ring]] he brought from [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] part of [[Durin's folk]] and founded a [[Dwarf realms|colony]] in the caves, becoming the first [[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]. The Dwarves of the Glittering Caves carefully tended the stone walls and opened new ways and chambers and hung lamps that filled the caverns with light. The Glittering Caves became one of the most important realms of the [[Dwarves]] at the beginning of the [[Fourth Age]].<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref>

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The Glittering Caves are one of very few locations in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s work that are associated with a real place. They were inspired by the [[wikipedia:Cheddar Gorge and Caves|Cheddar Gorge]] in [[wikipedia:Somerset|Somerset]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Humphrey Carpenter]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (eds.), ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 321]] (dated [[February 4]], [[1971]])</ref>

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==Etymology==

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''Aglarond'' is [[Sindarin]] and contains the elements [[aglar]]+[[rond]], therefore "caves of glory". However since the word ''aglar'' is related to ''light'', the [[Westron]] "Glittering Caves" can be the exact translation.

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The Rohirrim called them ''[[Glæmscrafu]]''<ref>{{UT|Isen}}, Appendix (ii)</ref> or '''Caverns of Helm's Deep'''.

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==Inspiration==

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The Glittering Caves are one of very few locations in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s work that are associated with a real place. They were inspired by the [[wikipedia:Cheddar Gorge and Caves|Cheddar Gorge]] in [[wikipedia:Somerset|Somerset]].<ref>{{L|321}}</ref>

Contents

Overview

The Glittering Caves were located behind Helm's Deep under the three peaks of the Thrihyrne in the northwestern arm of the White Mountains. Gimli called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World. The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.[1]

History

War of the Ring

During the Battle of the Hornburg on 3-4 March, T.A.3019, many of the women, children, and elderly people of the Westfold took refuge in the Glittering Caves. Livestock and food were stored there as well. The entrance to the caves was behind the Deeping-wall in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught.

Some Orcs crept through a culvert in the Deeping-wall and entered the gorge but were killed or driven back by the defenders. Then the Deeping-wall was breached by an explosive device and the Enemy forces entered the Deep. Many of the Rohirrim including Éomer were driven back to the Glittering Caves, and with them was Gimli.[2]

After the war Gimli brought Legolas to see the caves; the Elf was so impressed that he was silent and said that only Gimli could fittingly describe them.[3]